Fort Lauderdale

Venice of America's Sunny Shores

Fort Lauderdale stands along Florida’s Atlantic coast with a long shoreline and busy ports. The city features wide boulevards, modern hotels and many beaches where people swim or rent bikes to ride along the waterfront. Local parks provide green space for walking and picnics while downtown offers restaurants serving seafood and international dishes. Cultural sites include art galleries, museums and annual festivals that reflect the area’s diverse community. Fort Lauderdale balances urban life with coastal relaxation throughout the year.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language in Fort Lauderdale, and all services, attractions, and businesses operate in English. Spanish is also widely spoken, particularly in service industries, but English speakers will have no communication difficulties.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Fort Lauderdale Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Great for boating canals and beaches. Relax on sandy shores, take boat tours through waterways, shop waterfront districts and enjoy nightlife.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Sea

Large cities

Beaches

Spotless

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Fort Lauderdale, United States

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

🔥

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - July, Nov.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hurricane season June to November, with highest risk mid August to early October

Peak season mid December to April: highest prices, book early for Christmas and spring break

Winterfest Boat Parade in mid December: decorated boats along the canals, very busy

Don't miss

🛍️ Stroll lively Las Olas Boulevard’s shops and eateries
🏖️ Relax and sunbathe on Fort Lauderdale’s sandy beaches
🏡 Tour the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
🚤 Cruise the waterways on an iconic Fort Lauderdale gondola
🦈 Explore marine life at the Museum of Discovery & Science
🦩 Witness wildlife at Flamingo Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary

You've been here?

Why travel to Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale offers that rare combination of relaxation and adventure that makes for a perfect getaway. The city's pristine beaches invite you to unwind under the Florida sun, while 165 miles of inland waterways create endless opportunities for exploration by gondola, water taxi or yacht. Beyond the water, you'll find a thriving arts scene, world-class shopping on Las Olas Boulevard and a surprisingly rich cultural heritage. What makes Fort Lauderdale special is its versatility – you can spend the morning snorkeling near a reef at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, the afternoon exploring the Museum of Discovery and Science with the kids and the evening enjoying fine dining or dancing the night away at Mango's. Just be prepared for crowds during the peak winter season (December to April) and remember that summer brings higher humidity and occasional afternoon showers.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Riverwalk
2 Museum of Discovery and Science
3 NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
4 Historic Stranahan House Museum

🎡Places for activities

1 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
2 Port Everglades

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Deerfield Beach
2 Fort Lauderdale Beach
3 Hallandale Beach
4 Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
5 Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
6 New River
7 Tarpon River

🛍️Shopping

1 Coral Ridge Mall
2 Harbor Shops
3 Las Olas Boulevard
4 Sawgrass Mills
5 The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale

🎈Events

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Las Olas Art Fair
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Tortuga Music Festival
Fort Lauderdale Air Show
Winterfest Boat Parade
Las Olas Wine and Food Festival
Florida Renaissance Festival
Pride Fort Lauderdale
Jazz in the Gardens

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Use the Water Taxi; it’s sightseeing and transport combined.
Plan time for Las Olas Boulevard; it’s best for dining, galleries and people-watching.
Pack sun protection year-round; beach weather is common but UV stays strong.
Add a half-day Everglades airboat trip; tours run easily from Fort Lauderdale.

How to travel to Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serves as the main gateway with connections to major cities. The city is also easily accessible by car, about an hour's drive north from Miami. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, making Fort Lauderdale a popular pre or post-cruise destination. Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike provide convenient road access from other parts of Florida.

Access summary

From Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Airport (FLL): taxi, rideshare or shuttle about 15–25 min.
From Miami: drive or Tri-Rail commuter train usually about 40–70 min.
From West Palm Beach: drive or Tri-Rail train typically around 60–90 min.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale offers accommodations for every budget, from luxury beachfront resorts to boutique hotels and vacation rentals. The beach area features high-end properties with ocean views, while staying near Las Olas Boulevard puts you close to shopping and dining. For a more peaceful experience, consider accommodations along the canals or in neighboring communities like Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach

8.0

Plunge Beach Resort

8.9

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

8.7

Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort

8.2

The Garden Hotel & Resort

7.4

Red Carpet Inn Airport Fort Lauderdale

7.2

Riverside Hotel

8.9

Ocean Beach Palace Hotel and Suites

8.3

Sea Club Ocean Resort

6.6

Ocean Beach Club

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is easy to navigate with several transportation options. Water taxis are a fun way to explore the city's extensive canal system with 10 hop-on-hop-off stops, perfect for sightseeing or a unique bar crawl. On land, the city offers public buses, rideshares and rental options for bikes, scooters and cars. The downtown area and beach promenade are pedestrian-friendly with distinctive brick paths.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+11 %

Daily expenses in Fort Lauderdale are around 11% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£65	£182	£488
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£90	£225
🍝 Food per day	£36	£84	£235
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£37
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£17
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£12.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£100
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£18

Safety information overview

General safety

Fort Lauderdale is generally safe for tourists, especially in popular areas. Exercise normal urban precautions, particularly at night. Beach areas are well-patrolled, but avoid leaving valuables unattended. Be aware of rip currents when swimming.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are excellent with several hospitals and urgent care centers. Pharmacies are widely available. In summer, stay hydrated and use sun protection to prevent heat-related issues. No special vaccinations are required for visiting.

Accessibility

Fort Lauderdale is relatively accessible with beach wheelchair rentals, accessible public transportation and many attractions offering accommodations for visitors with mobility challenges. The beachfront promenade is well-maintained and wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water in Fort Lauderdale is safe to drink and meets all federal standards. Public drinking fountains can be found in parks and along the beach promenade. Bottled water is widely available in stores and restaurants.

Packing recommendations for Fort Lauderdale

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Naples

Orlando

Miami

Key West

Tampa

Everglades National Park

Palm Beach (Florida)

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Summary:	Warm, dry and sunny, ideal beach weather
Temperature:	18 – 23 °C
Water temp.:	23 °C
Rain:	10 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded

Summary:	Warm, dry and sunny, ideal beach weather
Temperature:	19 – 24 °C
Water temp.:	23 °C
Rain:	14 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded

Summary:	Warm and sunny, ocean warm enough for swimming
Temperature:	20 – 24 °C
Water temp.:	24 °C
Rain:	13 mm (Frequent, very light rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded

Summary:	Hot and sunny, rains begin late
Temperature:	23 – 26 °C
Water temp.:	26 °C
Rain:	19 mm (Frequent, very light rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Hot and humid, first heavy rains
Temperature:	25 – 28 °C
Water temp.:	27 °C
Rain:	43 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists